Shawn McEvoy Christian Blog and Commentary

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East

Fun with Biblical Irony

  • Shawn McEvoy

    Shawn McEvoy is the Director of Editorial for Salem Web Network, where he has served to produce Kingdom-blessing content since 2005. He is also the former co-host of Crosswalk's Video Movie…

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  • Updated Dec 15, 2008


Was doing some reading this morning on some old passages I'd once highlighted in First and Second Peter, trying to decipher my old notations from what I believed were college days. I was using my old, worn NAS-translation Ryrie Study Bible, and I happened to look at 2 Pet. 1:20...

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation..."

The verse was starred, meaning there were notes regarding this verse below. So I read:

"Several meanings are possible..."

And I laughed out loud, sharing the irony with my co-workers. Was just a fun moment. I wondered if good ol' Charles Ryrie had a bit of a chuckle himself when he wrote that study note.

I was also reminded of another irony that caught my eye several years ago, involving The Lord's Prayer as given in Matthew 6. In verse 7, just before Jesus offers a model outline for the topics and order of our prayers, he says, "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repitition..."

And yet... isn't that what so many of us have been taught to do with The Lord's Prayer that comes not two verses after that charge? Repeat it, meaninglessly? Why?

If you have any other scriptural or personal examples, I'd love to hear them!